Playa de Oro International Airport

Playa de Oro handles both commercial and general aviation traffic, with full international customs and immigration on site. For private arrivals from the US, FBO handling is available and the customs process is straightforward for pre-cleared aircraft. The airport sits in a coastal basin between hills and the ocean, so expect instrument approaches in fog or low-visibility conditions during the rainy season (June through October).

The terminal area is compact. Private passengers typically clear customs in the same facility as commercial arrivals, which can mean brief waits when commercial flights are on the ground. Scheduling your arrival to avoid those windows makes the experience considerably smoother. There are no slot requirements, but coordination with your operator on handling and ramp space is advisable during holiday periods when the area sees peak demand.

Downtown Manzanillo is about 40 km southeast of the airport, roughly 45 minutes by car depending on traffic through the coastal road. The Las Hadas resort area is closer, around 35 km. Barra de Navidad, a popular beach town to the north, is about 60 km and takes roughly an hour. Car service and SUV transfers can be arranged through most FBO handlers or your operator. There is no train or direct bus link suited to private passengers. Puerto Vallarta is approximately 280 km north via the coastal highway, a drive of around 3.5 to 4 hours.